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Created by Nakshatra (Zburgers) for the Apex Hacks II Hackathon
Ever stared at trash, wondering "Where does this even go?"
We did too. That simple question sparked WasteWise — a gamified, AI-powered Web3 app designed to make recycling intuitive, engaging, and rewarding.
We were inspired by:
- The sheer confusion around waste classification
- The massive environmental impact of improper recycling
- The missed opportunity to teach people — especially kids — about sustainable living
Tackling this serious challenge through something fun and intelligent was our moonshot.
WasteWise is more than an app. It's a movement. A playful entry point into the world of eco-responsibility, blending AI + Web3 + gamification into a solution we actually want to use.
In a world full of complex climate problems, WasteWise is our way of starting with one simple act: sorting trash smarter.
WasteWise helps users identify and sort waste correctly using AI image classification, while earning points, completing challenges, and competing on leaderboards.
It turns sustainability into a social, gamified, and educational experience — powered by modern tech.
 Upload Photo |
➡️ |  AI Classification |
➡️ |  Earn Points |
➡️ |  Compete Globally |
|
Upload a photo, get instant classification + region-specific disposal tips |
AI chatbot answers recycling queries with local awareness |
|
Missions + social sharing for bonus points |
Compete weekly, monthly, and all-time |
XP-driven levels + achievement-based badge system |
On-chain proof of eco-effort |
Sign in with MetaMask, Google, or Apple (WIP) |
Learn while taking action |
It's not just a tool — it's a game, a classroom, and a movement.
This project started as a curious experiment and scaled into an ambitious Web3 MVP.
We started prototyping in Firebase Studio, brainstorming with Gemini + ChatGPT, then transitioned to a full-stack modern dev environment for polish and control.
🧠 AI Core
- Built the image classification module for waste detection
- Integrated WasteWizard chatbot via Genkit + Google AI
🎮 Gamification
- MVP point system, leveling, and badge logic (memory state)
- Community challenge flow added
🌐 Web3 Auth & NFTs
- MetaMask integration via Web3Auth + Ethers.js
- Badge-to-NFT minting for bragging rights
🎨 UI/UX
- Tailwind + Radix UI for clean design
- Framer Motion for animations
- Component render optimization for speed
🗃️ Backend (WIP)
- Partial PostgreSQL + Prisma setup
- Mocked in-memory state for fast prototyping
| Layer | Technologies Used |
|---|---|
| Frontend | Next.js, React, TypeScript, Tailwind CSS, Radix UI, Framer Motion |
| State/Forms | React Hook Form, Tanstack React Query |
| Data Viz | Recharts (Leaflet dropped) |
| Backend | Next.js API Routes, Prisma, PostgreSQL (partial), Firebase |
| AI | Genkit, Google AI |
| Auth/Web3 | Firebase Auth, Web3Auth, WalletConnect, MetaMask, Ethers.js |
| Tooling | ESLint, dotenv, Turbopack, Patch-package, TSX |
- 🗺️ Map module bugs (Leaflet): Dropped to prioritize core functionality
- ⚙️ Backend bottlenecks: Time constraints limited DB implementation
- 🎞️ Framer Motion: Performance impact required animation cuts
- 🔐 Apple OAuth: Needed credentials we couldn't fetch in time
- ⏱️ Time pressure: Building AI + Web3 + gamification in 48 hrs was intense
- 🎯 Shipped a fully functional MVP with real UX
- 🚀 Integrated Web3: Wallet auth + NFT badge minting
- 🎮 Built a gamified platform that's fun and educational
- 💡 Made something we'd actually use
- ♻️ Built a tool that blends sustainability, tech, and behavior change
- 🔍 Polished solutions require tough trade-offs
- 🤝 Gamification can drive real change
- 🧠 Firebase Studio + Gemini = MVP prototyping superpower
- 💡 Web3 isn't scary — it enables trust + ownership
- 🌱 Recycling in Delhi is broken — we built a starting point
graph LR
A[Install] --> B[Configure]
B --> C[Run]
C --> D[Develop]
style A fill:#4d94ff,stroke:#333,stroke-width:2px
style B fill:#4db8ff,stroke:#333,stroke-width:2px
style C fill:#4dffb8,stroke:#333,stroke-width:2px
style D fill:#4dff94,stroke:#333,stroke-width:2px
# Clone repository
git clone https://github.com/Zburgers/WasteWise.git
# Install dependencies
npm install
# Run development server
npm run dev- Node.js (v16+)
- npm or yarn
- Firebase account
-
Clone the repository:
git clone https://github.com/Zburgers/WasteWise.git cd WasteWise -
Install dependencies:
npm install # or yarn install -
Set up environment variables: Create a
.env.localfile with your Firebase configuration:NEXT_PUBLIC_FIREBASE_API_KEY=your-api-key NEXT_PUBLIC_FIREBASE_AUTH_DOMAIN=your-auth-domain NEXT_PUBLIC_FIREBASE_PROJECT_ID=your-project-id NEXT_PUBLIC_FIREBASE_STORAGE_BUCKET=your-storage-bucket NEXT_PUBLIC_FIREBASE_MESSAGING_SENDER_ID=your-messaging-sender-id NEXT_PUBLIC_FIREBASE_APP_ID=your-app-id -
Start the development server:
npm run dev # or yarn dev -
Open http://localhost:3000 in your browser to see the application.
WasteWise is more than a hackathon project. It's a bold, beautiful step toward a cleaner, smarter world — powered by AI, Web3, and people like you.
Run the test suite:
npm test
# or
yarn testWe welcome contributions to WasteWise! Please see our Contributing Guidelines for details on how to get involved.
This project is licensed under the MIT License - see the LICENSE file for details.
WasteWise was developed by Nakshatra Kundlas for the Apex Hacks II Hackathon. The project aims to leverage technology to promote sustainable waste management practices and environmental consciousness.
This project was created as part of the Apex Hacks II Hackathon, showcasing innovative solutions to environmental challenges through technology.
